Construction of showcases and the like



'May 12, 1936. G w. PORTER CONSTRUCTION OF SHOWCASES AND THE LIKE Filed- Nov. 21, 1953 R m Q I, \6 a k .4 TTORVE Y.

Patented May 12, 1936 PATENT OFFICE CONSTRUCTION or snowoasns 1 AND THE LIKE George w. PM, Ventura, Calif. Application November 21, 1933, Serial No. 699,075

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of show cases and the like, and has particular reference to an improved fastening means for securing the adjacent edges of the glass walls or panels of show cases, show windows, or the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved edge securing means for panels of show cases and the like which will firmly hold the same together and join them in an airtight manner without requiring perforation of said panels.

A more specific object of the invention isto provide a securing means of the above kind embodying a continuous edge securing strip adapted to firmly engage and be effectively secured to the adjacent surfaces and edges of both of meeting panels or walls.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of a show case having its glass panels secured together in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof, partly broken away and in section.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view looking to- 5 ward the right of Figure 2.

- the top panel, 6 the end panels, and 1 the front panel of a show case, while 8 indicates the improved securing strip by which the edges of the end panels 6 and front panel I are joined to the margin of the top panel 5. 7

As illustrated, the show case may include a suitable base 9 provided with uprights I0 at the rear corners thereof, the base 9 having grooves to receive the lower edges of the end panels 6 and the front panel I, and the uprights l8 having grooves to receive the rear edges of the end panels 6. To provide an efficient and airtight joint between the panels 6 and 'l and the base 8 and uprights III, the edges of said panels are preferably set in felt or rubber and cement within the grooves of the base 8 and uprights III as generally indicated at H. The show case may be closed at the back in any well known -or preferred manner. The ends of the front panel I extend across the front edges of the end panels 6 where they are secured together in an airtight manner by the use of felt and cement as generally indicated at I! in Figure 6. The top'panel 5 is of such size or area as to be sustained at its margin upon the upper edges of the end panels. 6 and front panel I.

The fastening strip 8 is preferably made of a continuous piece of sheet metal rolled, f'oided or shaped to the cross sectional form shown in Figure 4 or in Figure 5, depending upon whether or not thefront panel is perpendicular to the top panel 5. As shown, the fastening strip 8 is folded upon itself longitudinally as at l3 intermediate its longitudinal edges, and the intermediate portion of the strip adjacent the fold I3 is directed downwardly to provide a flange H of double thickness arranged to extend along the margin of the inner surface of the panels 6 and I at their up-- per edges, one free marginal edge portion of the fastening strip being directed upwardly to provide a flange l5 arranged to extend along the side and front edges of the top panel 5, and the other free marginal edge portion of the fastening strip 8 being directed downwardly to provide a still further flange i6 arranged to extend along the upper margin of the outer surfaces of the panels 6 and I with the parts of the folded piece of sheet metal between the flanges l4 and I6 presenting a portion of the fastening strip of double thickness engaging the upper edges of the panels 6 and 'l and extending between such edges and the adjacent marginal edges of the top panel 5. The fastening strip thus flts over the upper edges 'of the end panels 6 and front panel I be neath the top panel 5, and provides the flange l5 engaging the end and front edges of the top panel 5 so that the latter is restrained from shifting laterally in either direction or forwardly. The joint is made airtight between the top panel 5 and the panels 6 and I by the use of. felt and cement between the opposed surfaces of the fee-- tening' strip and the several panels 5, 6, and I as generally indicated at i! and I8. It will be observed that the flanges l4 and i6 are directed parallel with the plane of the front panel I regardless of whether the latter is vertical as in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, or inclined as in Figure 5.

The ends of the fastening strip may be perforated for reception of. screws l9 driven into the upper ends of the uprights i0 so that shifting of the fastening strip and the panels as mentioned above is prevented in an effective manner, it being understood that the ends of the fastening strip rest upon the upper ends of the uprights III in the construction illustrated.

The fastening strip 8 may be readily made of separate front and end members having mitered joints at the corners as indicated at 20, and the free edge of flange i5 may be intumed as at 2] to a provide a finished appearance and avoid the presentation of a sharp or raw edge at the top of said flange l5. v

It will be evident that the fastening strip may be adapted for securing panels together at varying angles with respect to each other, and may be fltted to all kinds and shapes of show cases and the like as found desirable, within the scope of v double thickness adapted to engage behind the upl per edge portions oi. the vertical panels, one iree longitudinal edge portion of the strip being directed' downwardly to form another vertical flange adapted to engage the outer face of the upper edge portions oi the vertical panels, the other free longitudinal edge portion of the strip being directed upwardly to form still another vertical flange adapted to engage the side and front edges of said horizontal panel, and the portion of said strip between the first-named flange and the two last-mentioned flanges being horizontal and adapted to flatly engage the upper edges of the vertical panels and tohave the horizontal panel rest thereon.

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